Smitherman endorses former primary opponent Branch for attorney general

AUSTIN — Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman, a former GOP attorney general candidate who came in last in the March 4 primary election, endorsed Dallas Republican Dan Branch in the May 27 runoff election.

Branch, a state representative, will face state Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney. The winner will run against Democrat Sam Houston in the November general election.

Paxton was recently fined $1,000 by the Texas State Securities Board for acting as an “investment adviser representative” for Mowery Capital Management in 2004, 2005 and 2012 without registering with the state.

In a statement released Thursday, Smitherman called Paxton’s actions “very troubling.”

“The attorney general must have integrity, honest and high moral character,” Smitherman said.

The winner will succeed Attorney General Greg Abbott, who is running for governor.